Job Description

Commercial Manager

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (up to £65,000)
• A company car cash allowance (£6,000)
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 15% of annual salary)
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme !
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week – Bradford)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have a number of exciting opportunities for a Commercial Manager to join the Commercial team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

This role leads the commercial and performance management of our key NEC TSC framework agreements servicing our Network, ensuring we get the best value, quality and outcomes from our suppliers. You’ll be the commercial expert shaping strategy, guiding contract decisions and driving commercial optimisation across the business.You’ll lead a team of commercial SMEs working closely with vendor managers, legal, sourcing and operational teams, providing insight, analysis and strong commercial leadership. You’ll handle key negotiations, oversee performance reporting, and ensure full regulatory and contractual compliance. As a people leader, you’ll inspire a highperforming team and play a central role in supporting operational success across the organisation.

Where you fit in:

As our Commercial Manager you will:

• Lead a small team of commercial professionals in implementing Yorkshire Water’s Commercial Strategy, driving whole life value and strengthening collaboration with strategic suppliers and internal teams.
• Oversee contractor cost submissions, commercial models, claims and financial approvals to ensure value, compliance and strong commercial governance.
• Lead commercial negotiations and manage complex disputes, supporting vendor managers and operational teams to resolve escalated issues.
• Produce contractor performance scorecards, insights and reports for senior governance forums.
• Support supplier relationship management activity, including incentive scheme reviews, contract optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Shape and deliver key commercial priorities, including category strategies, commercial intelligence initiatives and process optimisation.
• Approve high value or non standard commercial activity and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, standards and ISO accreditations.
• Provide commercial analysis, strategic risk management and regulatory reporting (e.g., standard charges, developer charges).
• Support contract amendments, mini tenders and extensions in line with UCR ’16 regulations.
• Collaborate with finance, assurance, legal and operational teams to enhance commercial performance and drive efficiencies as well as supporting with forecasting, accruals, cost allocation and budget planning.
• Lead health & safety, risk management and compliance expectations in line with Yorkshire Water policies.
• Build strong cross sector relationships and support operational escalations during high demand or adverse event

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Significant experience leading the commercial management of high value, complex, and business critical service based contracts.
• Broad and versatile business expertise, with strong commercial acumen and confidence in contract negotiations.
• A deep understanding of how service-based contracts operate, and the ability to balance commercial considerations with operational needs.
• Exceptional financial management capability, with a keen eye for detail and strong commercial judgment.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust, influence senior leaders, and collaborate effectively across commercial, financial, and operational functions.
• Strong analytical capability, able to interpret performance data and translate insight into action.
• A solid understanding of framework agreements and a working knowledge of NEC and other standard forms of contract.
• A confident people leader who inspires others, drives accountability, and delivers results through their team.
• Hold a Professional qualifications such as RICS, CIArb, MBA, CIPS or equivalent.
• Hold a Contract management accreditations such as NEC.
• Previous experience working within a regulated environment and background in the water or wastewater sector is desirable but nit essential.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?  

If you’ve got experience in Contract / Commercial Management and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.  

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing date for this role is 1st May 2026!

No agencies please.